Truck driver involved in horror Calder Freeway crash charged

The truck driver at the centre of a horror crash that claimed the life of a two-year-old girl on the Calder Freeway has been charged.

A man has been charged over the horror Calder Freeway crash that killed a two-year-old girl. Picture: Liam Beatty

The truck driver at the centre of a horror crash that claimed the life of a two-year-old on the Calder Freeway earlier this month has been charged.

On Wednesday, police charged Matt Livingston, 42, with culpable driving causing death after his truck allegedly caused a deadly multi-vehicle pileup at Diggers Rest on December 6.

After passing several speed reduction signs on a 110km/h stretch of road, Mr Livingston’s truck carrying grain allegedly smashed into five stationary cars which had stopped for roadworks.

A Caulfield South family’s two-year-old daughter was killed instantly, while her 37-year-old mother was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

Her condition has stabilised, though she remains in The Alfred hospital recovering more than three weeks after the crash.

Truck driver Matt Livingston has been charged over the crash. Picture: Channel 9.

The 35-year-old father suffered serious injuries and was rushed to the Royal Melbourne Hospital but has since been released, while the couple’s other daughter, a one-year-old, was discharged the day after the crash.

A 62-year-old South Melbourne man driving a Toyota HiLux was trapped under the truck until freed by emergency services. He was taken to hospital and has also since been released.

The charges come after the truck driver’s daughter, Courtney Livingston, said her father wasn’t to blame for the crash.

“I would be surprised if he could survive his own mental health after this. It is an absolute tragedy,” she said earlier this month.

“A car swerved in front of him as shown on dashcam footage.

“It’s much more difficult for a fully loaded truck to brake than a normal car,” Ms Livingston said.

She said her father only drank on rare occasions at the weekend and had never touched a drug in his life.

Detectives from the major collision investigation unit tested the truck driver for drugs and alcohol and pored over logbooks, probing if fatigue was a factor.

The Donald man’s employer, Hendy Transport, which has depots in St Arnaud and Melbourne, is also being investigated, although charges have yet to be laid.

“The company offers its deepest condolences to the individuals and families impacted by the tragic accident,” Hendy Transport said in a statement on December 7.

Mr Livingston was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on May 18.